West Riding Festival Te Deum

Reviews / Votes

This work shows that Howells was still on top form (if not even better) at the age of 82. From the opening bars the style is unmistakable. Everything we have come to expect from this composer is here: alternations of unison with his glorious crunching chords in both choir and organ, sections of polyphony and, of course, the wonderful soaring lines, sometimes dominating, sometimes accompanying. To say any more would be superfluous. I confidently expect this majestic work to become a fixture in the repertoires of capable choirs. * Organists' Review August 2001 * The composer's wonderful melodic invention comes to the fore with 'the glorious company of angels' and 'we therefore pray thee, help thy servants', and the work is never less than beautfiully crafted and vocally very effective, although it makes considerable demands upon the singers. * CMQ April 2001 *